Sewing machine



Dec. 15, 1931. A.W. KONCHAN SEWING ACHINE Filed March 16, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet z eizzr $705073 jl a rcaiarc/ A. W. KONCHAN SEWING MACHINE Dec. 15, 1931.

Filed March 16, 925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I? i 7aVe/aZ/ a7' Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES ANTON w. KCNCHAN, or CHICAGO, ILLINoIs SEWING MACHINE Application filed March 16, 1925. Serial No. 15,741.

The invention relates to sewing machines and particularly to that type which employ thereof.

The invention has as an object the provislon of a means of a S1mplll'l6d character whereby the needle bars may be releasably locked together and the combination there 1 with of a means for actuating said locking means so as to allow both needle bars to reciprocate together or to permit one to be actuated independently of the other.

It is av further object of the invention to provide an arrangement whereby one of the needle bars may be engaged and locked in an elevated position so as to permit the other needle bar to be actuated and accomplish the sewing of an article.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an arrangement having a member which may be reciprocated with respect to a clutch element provided upon a needle bar, the memher being operable to prevent the operation of one of said needle bars and also operable to cause both needle bars to operate together.

It is a further object to provide a means for actuating the means for releasably locking the needle bars together and to utilize this actuating means to control the holding element just referred to.

In addition to the above it is a further object to associate the several means for accomplishing the various objects enumerated F with telescopically arranged needle bars.

It is also a feature of the invention to provide a construction whereby one needle bar is actuated by a connection formed between said needle bars.

In addition it is an object of the invention to provide a construction whereby said needle bars may be automatically clutched together without injury to the elements employed should one of the clutch elements be arranged to engage a clutch part provided upon one of the needle bars when said needle bar is in a lowered position. The clutching of the needle bars is automatically accomplished by the engagement of the clutch part provided upon said needle bar with one of the elements or said clutch. Y

It is an object of the invention to employ a clutch and to provide an element of the clutch upon each needle bar and to provide a member which co-operates therewith to releasably lock the needle bars together, this member being connected to a lever with relation to which said member is reciprocable when the needle bars are locked together and actuated, the lever being operable to cause the disconnection of one needle bar from the other and to arrange said member so that it may be engaged to prevent the actuation of.

one of said needle bars.

6 it is also an object to employ a holding element for engaging said member just re ferred to when the lever is operated to release the clutclnto thereby prevent the operation of one of the needle bars.

In addition it is an object to provide a construction whereby the 'member actuated by said lever to control the clutchingof the needle bars may be arranged to allow said member to reciprocate with the needle bars and relatively to said holding dog without interfer-' ence by. said holding dog during its reciprocation. 1

The invention will be explained and more readily understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show one arrangement whereby the above enumerated and other advantages may be accomplished, it being obvious that changes and. modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the appended claims forming a part hereof.

Referring to the drawings Fig. l is a sectional View of the head of a sewing machine having the invention applied thereto.

' Fig. 2 is a. view similar to Fig. 1 showing the parts in a changed position.

s Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the structureshown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4.4 of Fi 1% lg. 5 is a sectiontaken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4. A

Figs. 6 and 7 are perspectiveviews of cer 16G tain elements employed in the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Fig. 8 is a perspective of the clutch elements.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, two needle bars 10 and 11 which are telescopically arranged with respect to each other are utilized. Each of these needle bars is provided with means respectively designated 12 and 13 for the reception of needles. The needle bar 11 which is reciprocably arranged within the tubular portion of the reciprocable needle bar 10 is composed of two sections 14 and 15 which are in threaded engagement with an element 16 which forms part of a clutch hereinafter to be referred to in detail. This clutch element 16 has a stub shaft 17 projecting therefrom which is suitably connected with a link 18 which is connected to the drive shaft 19 the latter of which is arranged horizontally of the machine and is provided with the usual fly or drive wheel not shown.

The element 16 is formed with a lug 20 pro vided for the reception of a threaded end 21 of the needle bar 11 and is further formed to produce a curved portion 22 which surrounds the adjacent ends of the sections 14 and 15 of the needle bar 11 and reciprocates in a recessed portion 23, the recess being provided in the outer tubular element forming the needle bar 10. The element 16 is provided with transversely arranged slots 24 in which the clutch element 25 is adapted to be mov ably arranged so as to clutch this element 16 with the tubular needle bar 10 to thereby cause both needle bars to be reciprocated with each other. The tubular needle bar 10 is provided with a plurality of laterally extending separated arms 26, the same being formed to provide guideways 27 and 28 within the latter of which the clutch element 25 is reciprocably mounted so as to permit it to be operated to engage and disengage the clutch element 16 of the needle bar 11.

The clutch element 25 is formed to produce parallel arms 2929 one end thereof being designed to enter the groove 24 provided in the clutch element 16, of the needle bar 11 and is also formed to provide a bridge piece 30 which is arranged transversely to the arms 2929 and forms a connection between said arms. The bridge piece 30 is designed to be engaged by a holding element to prevent the operation of the needle bar 10 and is also movable so that it may be located in a recess 31 and when said bridge piece 30 is located. in said recess the needle bar 10 may be reciprocated relatively to the holding element. It is manifest that the operation of the needle detail view of one bars, that is, whether one will be operated independently of or with the other, is controlled by the position of the clutch element 25.

It is further evident that when the bridge piece 30 of the clutch element 25 is moved towards the needle bars to clutch the needle bars together so that said needle bars operate with each other, said bridge piece 30 is arranged in the recess 31 and is housed between the projections 33 and 34 which are a part of the laterally projecting fingers 26 which will thus allow the clutch element 25 to travel or reciprocate with respect to the detent holding element 32 without interference by said holding element. To control the actuation of the clutch element 25 it has one end thereof secured to the lever 35 which is pivoted at 36 and is provided with a longitudinally arranged slot 37 the latter of which is employed to receive the slide block 38 which is secured to the clutch element 25.

The upper end of the lever 35 is forked as indicated at 39 for the reception of one end of an actuating lever 40 which is suitably connected to a means (not shown) under the control of the operator of the machine to move the'lever 35 so that the clutch element 25 will assume a clutching or releasing position.

The holding element generally designated 32 is, in the present instance, pivotally connected at 36 to a part 41 and is provided with a notch or recess 42 provided to receive the bridge piece 30 of the clutch element 25 when said clutch element is arranged to hold one of the needle bars such .as 10 against reciprocation which permits the other needle bar such as 11 to be operated independently of the needle bar 10. The holding element 32 is provided with a tail piece 43 against which a coil spring 44 abuts, the opposite end of the spring being in engagement with a stationary part of an element such as 41 and the movementof the portion 43 being limited in one direction by the stop 45.

From the foregoing explanation of the construction employed it is evident that when the lever 35 is released the clutch element 25 will assume a position in which it may engage the clutch element 16 and cause both needle bars to operate simultaneously.

It is manifest that when the clutch element 25 is arranged to permit the two needle bars to reciprocate with each other that the bridge piece 30 is arranged within the recess 31 with a face thereof flush with the outer faces of the projections 33 and 34 and thus will permit the bridge piece and its assoeiated elements to reciprocate relatively to the notch 42 in the holding element 32 without interference between these parts. The clutch element generally designated 16 which is part of the needle bar 11 is provided with a means whereby the clutch element 25 may be arranged in the path of this clutch element 16 and in a position to automatically clutch the element 16 to the needle bar 10 without injury to the parts should the clutch element 25'be released when the clutch element 16 is of the needle bar 11 and operates in the re cess 23 provided in the outer or tubular needle bar 10. i

It is evident that should the clutch element 25 be arranged in a position in which it may clutch the clutch element 16 while the clutch element 16 is in alowered position the beveled faces 46 thereof will engage the ends 47 of the clutch element 25 and cam the clutch element 25 outwardly until the clutch element 25 and the grooves 24 of the clutch element 16 are in alignment with each other, at which time the clutch element 25 will automatically enter the grooves 24, it being remembered that the lever 35 and the clutch element- 25 are caused, by virtue of a spring Which is part of the mechanism for actuating the lever, to move toward the needle bars. A bumper 48 is provided with which the needle bar '10 may engage to limit the upward movement of the needle bar to thereby insure registration between the groove 24 of the part 16 and the clutch element 25.

From the foregoing explanation of the structure it is evident that a relatively simple construction is provided whereby both needle bars may reciprocate with each other or one permitted to reciprocate with respect to the other.

It is further manifest that the structure described is capable of being operated so that one of the needle bars is held in an elevated position during the operation of the other needle bar which thus permits the sewing op.- eration to take place without interference by the needles carried by the respective needle bars. V

In addition to the above it is manifest that the arrangement is such that the clutch 'elements may reciprocate with each other and with respect to the means for holding one needle bar in an elevated position and that one needle bar may be reciprocated with respect to the other.

It is also obvious that one of the elements of the clutch may be released and arranged or located in a position for engagement with a clutch element of a needle bar when one of the needle bars is in a lowered position and that said needle bars will be clutched together immediately upon the elevation of the needle bar which was previously lowered and that this may be accomplished Without the possibility of breakage of the said parts.

Having thus explained the invention what I claim and desire to cover by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sewing machine, the combination of a driving needle bar and a driven needle bar, means for releasably coupling said needle bars to cause and prevent simultaneous operation of said needle bars, said means including a movable coupling element and means provided upon one of the needle bars for supporting said coupling element, means for releasably engaging said coupling element to prevent and permit reciprocation of said driven needle bar, said coupling element and said support having means whereby said engaging means may extend through said coupling means and support to thereby allow said coupling element and support to be moved longitudinally of said engaging means, and means for moving said coupling means into and out of engagement with said engaging means and said driving needle bar.

2. In a sewing machine having a plurality of needle bars, the combination of means for releasably coupling said needle bars together to allow one needle bar to be reciprocated relatively to the other, said means including a clutch, means for controlling the clutch,

a clutch support provided on one of said needle bars, means for releasably engaging said clutch to prevent operation of one of said needle bars, said last mentioned means being positioned within said support to effeet the engagementand release of said clutch, and said support being movable along said last mentioned means when in clutching relation.

3. In a sewing machine having a plurality of needle bars, the combination of means for releasably coupling said needle bars together to allow one needle bar to be reciprocated relatively to the other, said means including a clutch, means for controlling the clutch, a clutch support provided on one of said needle bars, means for releasably engaging said clutch to prevent operation of one of said. needle bars, said last mentioned means being positioned within said support to effeet the engagement and release of said clutch, said support being movable along said last mentioned means when in clutching relation, and said clutch support having means whereby said clutch may be arranged to prevent engagement between said clutch and said engaging means.

4. In a sewing machine having a plurality of needle bars and means for releasably securing one of said needle bars with the other to thereby allow said needle bars to be operated together and one to be operated independently of the other, a clutch and clutch support, means forcontrolling said clutch, a detent for releasably engaging the clutch, said clutch support having transversely arranged openings, the clutch being operable in one of said openings and the detent and other opening being located relatively to each other to allow the detent to be projected therethrough, said clutch element having means engageable with the detent and said clutch support having a recess for the recep-other, said first mentioned means including tion of said means of'said clutch element.

5. In a sewing machine having a plurality of needle bars and means for re leasably securing one of said needle bars with the other to thereby allow said needle bars to be operated together and one to be operated independently of the other, said means including a movable clutch element, means for mov-' ing said element, a detent for engaging said movable clutch element, said element having an opening through which said detent is projectable and having means engageable with said detent to thereby hold one of said needle bars against movement relatively to the other needle bar.

6. In a sewing machine, the combination of a driving needle bar and a driven needle bar, a. clutch element provided upon each needle bar, a member providing means for separably coupling said clutch elements, one of said clutch elements providing a support for said coupling member and said coupling member being mounted for reciprocation transversely ofsaidneedlebars to connect and disconnect said clutch elements, a detent providing means for cooperating with said cou pling member and providing means for prepreventing the operationoi' one of the needle bars, said coupling member having an element engageable by said detent and one of said clutch elements having means for the reception of said element of the coupling member to thereby arrange said element of the coupling member for reciprocation with said clutch elements and with respect to said detent.

'Z. In a sewing machine, the combination of a driving needle bar and a driven needle bar, a clutch element provided upon each needle bar, a member providing means for separably coupling said clutch elements, one

of said clutch elements providing a support for said coupling member and said coupling member being mounted for reciprocation transversely of said needle bars to connect and disconnect said clutch elements, a detent providing means for cooperating with said coupling member and providing means for preventing the operation of one of the needle bars, said coupling member having an element engageable by said detent and one of said clutch elements having means for the reception of said element of the coupling member to thereby arrange said element of 'the coupling member for reciprocation with said clutch elements and with respect to saiddetent, and one of said clutch elements having means for actuating said coupling member to couple said clutch elements.

8. In a sewing machine, the combination of a driving needle bar and a driven needle bar, means for separably connecting said needlebars, and means for holding one needle bar against movement With respect to the a coupling member and'a support therefor, said support having transversely arranged guideways and said'coupling member having transversely arranged elements respectively providing means for engaging said holding means and separably connecting said needle bars, said coupling member being mounted for reciprocation in one of said guideways and said holding means being located in the other of said guideways.

9. In a sewing machine, the combination of a driving needle bar and a driven needle bar, meansfor separably connecting said needle bars, and means for holding one needle bar against movement with respect to the other, said first mentioned means including a coupling member and a support therefor, said support having transversely arranged guideways and said coupling member having transversely arranged elements respectively providingnieans torengaging said holding means and so iarably connecting said needle bars, said coupling member being mounted for reciprocation in one of said guideways and said holding means being located in the other of said guideways, and one of said needle bars having means providing means for moving said coupling member in said guid'eway.

10. In a sewing machine, the combination of a pair of needle bars mounted for reciprocation relatively to each other and one of said bars being located Within the other, one of said needle bars having an element providing a support and provided with transversely arranged guideways, said element providing an element of a clutch, the other needle bar beingprovidcd with means providing an element of a clutch, a coupling element movably mounted with respect to one ofsaid guideways of said element providing said support, and a holding member for engagement with said coupling element, said holding member being arranged substantially parallel with said needle bars and being located in a guideway of said support which is arranged transverse to said guideway for said coupling element.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 14th day of February, A. 1).,

ANTON W. KONCHAN. 

